In the beginning...

1845 - The Byrne family of Irish Row open their home for Mass.

1867 - A Station is opened at Whitwood, served from Pontefract, and first mentioned in 1870 Directory of the Diocese of Beverley.

1870 - At the Rising Sun Innn, Whitwood, a Committee is formed to draw up plans for a School Chapel at Normanton Common; it was proably completed during that year.

1871 - A Chapel of Ease opens in Whitwood, but with no resident priest services are led by the Jesuits from Pontefract (and later Wakefield) - although the priests concerned may have been members of the German Province.

1885  - As the last Jesuit priest leaves, he reports that the Whitwood Mission covered 55 square miles, and that from 177 households, with a population of about 800, the (two) Sunday masses had an average attendance of 250. The school housed 350 children.

1885 - Our first Parish Priest - Father Frederick Herfkens - takes up residence.